Chapter 8 - The Final Confrontation
Before Grant was transferred to a maximum-security federal facility to await trial, his public defender requested a five-minute meeting in the courthouse holding cells. Under the advice of AUSA Miller, I agreed to see him one last time, flanked by two armed federal marshals and Uncle Samuel standing right outside the bulletproof glass.
When the guard led Grant into the interview stall, I barely recognized him.
The custom suits and arrogant posture were gone, replaced by an ill-fitting orange jumpsuit and heavy steel wrist-chains. His face was pale, his hair messy, and dark purple hollows hung beneath his sunken eyes. The bruising on his throat from Samuel’s grip had turned into ugly, mottled yellowish-brown streaks.
Grant sat down heavily on the metal stool, picked up the receiver with trembling, handcuffed hands, and pressed it against the glass. I picked up my receiver, looking at him with absolute calm.
""Allison,"" he rasped, his voice cracked and hollow. ""You have to help me. You have to tell them it was all a misunderstanding. You know I loved you. I got sick... I had pressure on me from my father. He made me this way!""
""Your father didn't put your hands around my throat, Grant,"" I said, my voice echoing clearly through the speaker. ""Your father didn't steal twelve million dollars to run away and leave his child behind. You did that all on your own.""
""They’re going to kill me in there!"" Grant suddenly shouted, slamming his chained wrists against the stainless-steel counter. The marshals instantly shifted, their hands resting on their sidearms. Grant shrank back, his breath coming in jagged pants. ""You don't know what these people are like! My father won't even take my calls! He called me a parasite! I have nothing left, Allison! Not a single cent!""
""Good,"" I said simply. ""For the first time in your life, you are experiencing the consequences of your own choices.""
""What about Lily?"" he pleaded, tears of self-pity spilling down his cheeks. ""I’m her father! You can't erase my name from her birth certificate!""
A cold, beautiful smile touched my lips. I reached into my purse, pulled out a certified legal document, and pressed it against the glass.
It was a final decree of absolute divorce and name change, signed by Chief Justice Matthews of the Kentucky Supreme Court.
""Her name is Lily Grace Monroe,"" I said, watching his eyes dart across the seal. ""Your parental rights were terminated yesterday on the grounds of severe felony domestic violence and attempted infanticide through financial abandonment. Legally, biologically, and spiritually... you do not exist in her world. She will grow up knowing kindness. She will grow up knowing respect. And she will never, ever hear your name.""
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""Allison, wait! Please! Allison!"" Grant screamed, his face pressed against the glass, smearing tears and saliva on the surface as the guards grabbed him by his orange shoulders and dragged him backward into the corridor.
I set the receiver down, turned my back on his screams, and walked out into the sunlight.
